We offer professional plant identification and floristic survey services to the public, government agencies, industry, NGO and research community. Our new Molecular lab can process DNA sequences (Molecular Taxonomy) for a wide variety of genes (chloroplast, mitochondria, nuclear). All funds are used to support the BIO OAC Herbarium and its research program. Please contact Dr. Steven Newmaster for details the time required to identify different groups of plants.

• Identification Service: Our trained taxonomist can identify any plant specimens in the Ontario flora with specialty in bryophytes from anywhere in North America. We provide a forensic service for the Police and hospitals including the identification of plant parts using morphology, microscopic cellular characteristics and molecular DNA techniques.

  • $ 20/hr. Morphological Identifications (note I.D. time/specimen depends on the taxonomic group).
  • $ 50/hr. Molecular taxonomic identifications.


• Molecular Sequencing Service: Our new molecular taxonomy lab can process plant DNA sequences for a wide variety of genes. We are currently developing a molecular identification system for plants and hope to offer a comprehensive service for the identification of plants specializing in cryptogamic species, and identifications from either roots or seeds. Further applications include species identification within herbal products for the health industry.


• Floristic Surveys: The Floristic Diversity Research Group (FDRG) can provide a professional botanical survey for any area, from woodlots to entire provinces (see our Flora Ontario). We have developed new sampling techniques (Floristic Habitat Sampling, Newmaster et al. 2005), which provide a quick assessment of floristic diversity, including microhabitat information. Please contact Dr. Steven Newmaster regarding the details for your floristic survey and an estimate for the cost of the floristic survey.


• Training in Plant Identification & Sampling Techniques: We offer a variety of private seminars for groups interested in plant identification including cryptogams (mosses & lichens) and weeds or field sampling techniques and ethnobotany. Please contact Dr. Steven Newmaster regarding your needs.

You can get involved by supporting 1) botanical apprenticeships 2) projects such as the Flora Ontario, or the detection invasive species 3) research in ethnobotany or biodiversity, or 4) community projects. Please contact Dr. Steven Newmaster for details if you wish to join our research team by supporting one of our biodiversity projects.